That’s your fault,an accusing little voice whispered in his head.
Ravik pushed it away.
“Can you climb?”he asked her, hating how rough his voice sounded.
“I can climb,” she said at once.
“But you’re dizzy.”
“I’m less dizzy thanIwas.”
“That’s not good enough when you’re climbing up the side of a fucking tower,”Ravikgrowled, frowning.
Her mouth tightened.
“Don’t start with me, big guy.Iamnotin the mood.Ican climb just fine and that’s that.”
The fact that she was still giving him attitude should have reassured him and it did—a little.Butshe was also swaying slightly, andRavikdidn’t like that one fucking bit.
Sev noticed too, of course.
“I’ll climb first and secure the platform,” he said.“Cassandragoes after me.Ravik, you follow her and keep anything from coming up behind us.”
Ravik wanted to argue.Hewanted to say that he should go first withCassieover his shoulder because he was the strongest and because his place was betweenCassieand danger.Butthe truth was,Sevneeded to reach the relay panel.Hehad the tech knowledge and the signal data he’d already sent in that long pulse to theMotherShipthat morning.Ifanyone could get the tower broadcasting again, it wasSev.
Which meantRavikhad to trust him.Thathad never been a problem in the past…but that was before he knew his best friend was sharing a mate with him and letting the two of them do…other things together whileRavikwas out of his mind.
Still, he didn’t have much choice.
“Fine,” he said at last.“Butif that ladder shifts,I’mgrabbing her.”
“Please do,”Cassiesaid.“I’mnot proud—I’drather be grabbed than fall.”
Sev glanced at her.
“Are you certain you can climb?”
“No,” she said.“ButI’mgoing to anyway, because the zombie parade is getting closer andIreally don’t want to be the featured snack.”
Ravik looked toward the herd again.Theywerecloser and moving a hell of a lot faster than he liked.
TheInfecteddidn’t run like sane beings.Theylurched and crawled and sprinted in uneven bursts—some on two legs, some on all fours, and some dragging broken limbs while still somehow keeping pace.Theirwhite eyes gleamed through the mist and their lipless mouths hung open, clicking and hissing as they scented the air.
They were coming straight forCassie, he thought—or maybe for all of them.Ravikcould smell blood—his own,Sev’s, andCassie’sfaint sweetness under the fear.Hecould also smell something else in the air now—something sharp and golden coming fromSev.Thecure, maybe.Itwas inSev’sblood and essence, and it had changed his scent enough thatRavikcouldn’t stop noticing it.
He fucking hated noticing it but what he hated even worse was that some part of him wanted to move closer and breathe it in.
“Move,” he ordered, pushing the intrusive thoughts out of his head.
Sev went first, reaching the base of the ladder in a quick crouching run.Hetested the first rungs, then climbed with the efficient speed of someone who had spent too many years escaping bad situations—which they both had.Ravikwatched him go, noting the slight stiffness in his shoulders and the way he favored one side whereRavikhad hit him.
More guilt twisted in his gut and he shoved it down.
No time for that.
Cassie went next.Shetucked the charge baton into the beltSevhad given her and grabbed the ladder with both hands.Ravikstayed directly behind her, close enough that if she slipped, she would fall against him and not hit the ground.
She climbed slower thanSev, but she was climbing, all the same.
